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Chapter 2. The Go compiler

The Go compiler is a build tool and dependency manager for the Go programming language. It offers error checking and optimization of your code.

2.1. Prerequisites
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2.2. Setting up a Go workspace
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To compile a Go program, you need to set up a Go workspace.

Procedure

  1. Create a workspace directory as a subdirectory of $GOPATH/src.

    A common choice is $HOME/go.

  2. Place your source files into your workspace directory.

  3. Set the location of your workspace directory as an environment variable to the $HOME/.bashrc file by running: 

    $ echo 'export GOPATH=<workspace_dir>' >> $HOME/.bashrc
$ source $HOME/.bashrc
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    Replace <workspace_dir> with the name of your workspace directory.

2.3. Compiling a Go program
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You can compile your Go program using the Go compiler. The Go compiler creates an executable binary file as a result of compiling.

Prerequisites

Procedure

In your project directory, run:

  • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: 

    $ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go build <output_file>'
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    • Replace <output_file< with the desired name of your output file and <go_main_package> with the name of your main package.

  • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8: 

    $ go build <output_file>
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    • Replace <output_file> with the desired name of your output file and <go_main_package> with the name of your main package.

  • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: 

    $ go build <output_file>
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    • Replace <output_file> with the desired name of your output file and <go_main_package> with the name of your main package.

2.4. Running a Go program
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The Go compiler creates an executable binary file as a result of compiling. Complete the following steps to execute this file and run your program.

Prerequisites

Procedure

To run your program, run in the directory containing the executable file: 

$ ./<file_name>
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  • Replace <file_name> with the name of your executable file.

2.5. Installing compiled Go projects
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You can install already compiled Go projects to use their executable files and libraries in further Go projects. After installation, the executable files and libraries of the project are copied to according directories in the Go workspace. Its dependencies are installed as well.

Prerequisites

Procedure

To install a Go project, run:

  • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: 

    $ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go install <go_project>'
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    • Replace <go_project> with the name of the Go project you want to install.

  • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8: 

    $ go install <go_project>
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    • Replace <go_project> with the name of the Go project you want to install.

  • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: 

    $ go install <go_project>
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    • Replace <go_project> with the name of the Go project you want to install.

2.6. Downloading and installing Go projects
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You can download and install third-party Go projects from online resources to use their executable files and libraries in further Go projects. After installation, the executable files and libraries of the project are copied to according directories in the Go workspace. Its dependencies are installed as well.

Prerequisites

Procedure

  • To download and install a Go project, run:

    • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: 

      $ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go get <third_party_go_project>'
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      • Replace <third_party_go_project> with the name of the project you want to download.

    • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8: 

      $ go get <third_party_go_project>
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      • Replace <third_party_go_project> with the name of the project you want to download.

    • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: 

      $ go get <third_party_go_project>
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      • Replace <third_party_go_project> with the name of the project you want to download.

  • For information on possible values of third-party projects, run:

    • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: 

      $ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go help importpath'
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    • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8: 

      $ go help importpath
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    • On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: 

      $ go help importpath
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